Spain, Franco Period. An Order Of Civil Merit With Brilliance, Grand Cross Star, C.1940

(Orden al Mérito Civil). Instituted by King Alfonso XIII on June 25, 1926. Of high quality manufacture, an exceptional and desirable beaded eight-armed cross in polished silver, the obverse in silver gilt featuring an unusual superimposed silver female figure on an enameled white background, circumscribed by an enameled blue white-framed four-armed cross with the inscription AL MERITO CIVIL (To Civil Merit), crowned by period Spanish imperial crown in Gold, embellishing by three cut Rubies, two cut Emeralds, and five cut Diamonds details, reverse in silver gilt with ornamented central pin assembly and two stays, measuring 77.11 mm (w) x 80.66 mm (h), light contact, with slightly detached centrepiece, near to mint condition.

Footnote: The Order of Civil Merit was established by King Alfonso XIII on June 25, 1926. It was abolished by the Second Spanish Republic in 1933, but reinstated by General Francisco Franco in 1942. It is conferred upon those either Spanish or foreign citizens who has displayed civil virtue and meritorious actions that served to the interests of Spanish culture.